[Blog Tour] Top 5 Reasons to read Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley

Hey guys!

Before I forget, happy World Book Day!!
This is my last blog tour for this month. I haven’t posted anything else because I was out of station and traveled a lot. I was exhausted, but signing up for blog tours kept me reading and writing everyday. This is the only month I haven’t posted my wrap-up since starting my blog. Let’s see if there’s still energy left in me, I might post it porarably by Wednesday.
Sorry for the monologue, but let’s get back to the blog tour.

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I received an eARC of this book courtesy of TBR and Beyond Tours and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

If you are interested to read more content on Sofi and the Bone Song, you can go to this tour schedule to find more amazing stuff waiting for you.

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Book DETAILS

► Title: Sofi and the Bone Song

► BY: ADRIENNE TOOLEY

► Publishing: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing

► on: April 19, 2022

► GENRE: Young Adult queer Fantasy

► Standalone

► PACING: medium ► PAGES: 416

► AGE: 13+ ► Rating: 3.5/5 ★

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BUY BOOK: AMAZON | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound

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In this gorgeous, queer standalone fantasy, a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined—perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens!

Music runs in Sofi’s blood.

Her father is a Musik, one of only five musicians in the country licensed to compose and perform original songs. In the kingdom of Aell, where winter is endless and magic is accessible to all, there are strict anti-magic laws ensuring music remains the last untouched art.

Sofi has spent her entire life training to inherit her father’s title. But on the day of the auditions, she is presented with unexpected competition in the form of Lara, a girl who has never before played the lute. Yet somehow, to Sofi’s horror, Lara puts on a performance that thoroughly enchants the judges.

Almost like magic.

The same day Lara wins the title of Musik, Sofi’s father dies, and a grieving Sofi sets out to prove Lara is using illegal magic in her performances. But the more time she spends with Lara, the more Sofi begins to doubt everything she knows about her family, her music, and the girl she thought was her enemy.

As Sofi works to reclaim her rightful place as a Musik, she is forced to face the dark secrets of her past and the magic she was trained to avoid—all while trying not to fall for the girl who stole her future.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Rep: f/f relationship (MCs); Queer Brown (SC); South Asian (SC)

I have Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley on my TBR as well but didn’t expect to read this book first though. Want a standalone fantasy with music, witches, and all, then Sofi and the Bone Song should definitely be on your tbr. Still not sure? Okay, here’s why you should read this book

• GRUMPY SUNSHINE SAPPHIC FANTASY STANDALONE

I like my romance novels with grumpy heroines, and I didn’t have to worry about that in this book. Sofi was intense and couldn’t stand Lara’s presence though she was attracted to her. Her warring emotions between liking her and hating her for being easily talented to reach whatever she set her mind to, spelled out her dilemma for us. There were instances when she insulted Lara often. Then we see her change into being protective of Lara, a much-needed character growth I appreciated, that shaped their romance.

• go on a MUSIC TOUR with the characters

Sofi has been learning music ever since she was a kid. She had a rigourous routine that brought her closer to her dream of becoming a Musik one day. Even though she doesn’t get to be an apprentice, she grudgingly accompanies Lara on her tour to perfom in different villages in the kingdom.

When you hear of music tours, your mind must have flashed to a tour bus, managers, pomp and splendor suurounding it. But since this is a fantasy novel set in a fictional kingdom in the past, there are only carriages to take them places if they are well provided, if not, they have to tour on foot. This is not an easy feat considering Kingdom Aell is forever covered in snow.

Despite the harsh weather, they sail through composing melodies and writing ballads with lyrics inspired by the folklore of each village they tour. This was a brilliant way to catch the audience’s heart and also to tap into their skills.

• know the pain that goes into creating art (music)

Since this book is narrated through Sofi’s POV, we know her personal struggles as a child and a musicican.Time and again, she was made to believe that she wasn’t enough, no thanks to her dad. She thought pain was the only emotion one needs to have to be a perfect musician.When she didn’t inherit her father’s title as a Musik, she was heartbroken that her efforts amounted to nothing. Without her dreams and father, she was utterly lost in this world but her passion for music keeps her going. It’s not until Lara and the music tour, she learns of all the vile manipulations she was subjected to and sets her emotions free. Apart from being a stubborn, jealous person, she really loved music and it was evident in the songs and words she penned for Lara.

• Get a taste of SYNTHETIC MAGIC

Magic is forbidden to musicians in kingdom Aell. Other’s could access it through Papers curated to perform specific tasks created by witches but musicians had to depened on their skill and reamin magic-free. Using synthetic magic to start a flame, to write well, or to create art which never lasted was intriguing for me. You can see what true magic and syntehteic magic are capable of in this book.

• Anti-hero

I can’t call Sofi morally grey but she could be categorized as an anti-hero. I admire the fact that she stayed true to her feelings, which was being jealous of Lara for 50% of the book. She tried to hide it so badly but it always got out. After a point, I missed reading about this jealous, angry Sofi. But I’m glad that we got this unfiltered side of the main character.

The first half of the book felt too long and focused mostly on Sofi, but there were many surprises in the second half that made me continue this book. Sofi’s ending performance had the best lyrics of all the songs she had written. It was emotional and magical at the same time. Put simply, Sofi and the Bone Song is my first sapphic fantasy, a standalone at that, which was adventurous, unexpectedly twisty, and a musical treat.

CW // emotional abuse, manipulative parent,suicide

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adrienne Tooley (she/her) was born and raised in the desert suburbs of Southern California. She grew up in the theater, earning her B.A. in Musical Theatre from Point Park University. She and her wife currently live in New York City where she works in hospitality tech. In addition to writing novels she is also a singer/songwriter and has released several EPs which are available on Spotify & other streaming sites. Her debut novel, SWEET & BITTER MAGIC, is out now from S&S/McElderry. Her second novel, SOFI AND THE BONE SONG, will release from S&S/McElderry in 2022.

website | twitter | instagram | goodreads

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“Sing to me, O Muse, for without you I am lost.”

― Adrienne Tooley, Sofi and the Bone Song